2014 Draft Prep: Top 50 Fantasy prospects

Fantasy owners see prospects differently. For them, the stakes just aren't the same.

Even dynasty leagues, which emphasize the long-term, can't simulate real-world conditions completely. Nobody has millions of dollars riding on every decision. Nobody risks losing his position by mishandling long-term assets. Nobody can say with any real assurance if he'll even enjoy the fruits of his labor three, four, five years from now, what with all the curveballs life brings. Sometimes, Fantasy Baseball has to take a back seat. It's just a hobby, after all.

A hobby. You know, something you do for fun. You know what isn't fun? Losing. You know what can prevent that? Players who actually contribute.

So among the factors every publication and website uses to assess prospects -- from upside to projectability to makeup to durability -- proximity trumps all in this look at the top 50 Fantasy prospects for 2014. There's no time like the present, even in leagues that consider the future.

Fantasy impact scale

1.

Not a chance

2.

In case of disaster

3.

If he moves fast

4.

September call-up

5.

Second-half reinforcement

6.

Mid-season hopeful

7.

Sooner than later

8.

Fighting this spring

9.

Pencil him in

10.

Opening Day lock

I'm not suggesting we all become Ruben Amaro Jr. and build something so short-sighted that only a complete purge could correct it. I'm just calling it like I see it. In a start-up dynasty league, who goes for more: Billy Hamilton or Gregory Polanco? In nine out of 10, it's Hamilton, even though Polanco is the better prospect. The 10th league probably has some clever rule, perhaps related to salary escalation or minor-league roster space, that makes it exceptional in some way. And that's OK. No Fantasy rank list is one-size-fits-all. All function better as guidelines than gospel.

Just because this one emphasizes proximity doesn't mean it's the only factor under consideration. A prospects list should include (duh) the top prospects, even if they're not in the order you're used to seeing them. To give some idea how much proximity factors into the equation, I've assigned each prospect a 2014 Fantasy impact rating that corresponds to the scale in the table to the right.

That should help narrow it down for you single-season owners as well. Basically just sixes and up for you guys.

The Yu Darvish comparisons are probably unrealistic, but with superior control, Tanaka may be capable of Hisashi Iwakuma-like production. Just understand he'll probably need a month or two to adjust to the American game and everything that goes with it -- the larger ball, the five-man rotation, etc.

If Bogaerts moves back to shortstop as expected, he's a future first-rounder with Troy Tulowitzki-like potential. At age 21, the anticipated growing pains limit his value in single-season leagues, but as quickly as shortstop thins out, his eventual eligibility there probably makes him worth the reach.

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Having put up better numbers than both Yasiel Puig and Yoenis Cespedes in Cuba, Abreu has a chance to pay big dividends in Fantasy. Some scouting reports are less than all-in on him, questioning his bat speed, but for a middle-round pick, the risk is minimal.

Hamilton showed in a late-season trial that his record-breaking speed is just as effective in the majors, swiping a base in each of his first five pinch-running opportunities and four in his first start. Some question his bat, but the league leader in steals will matter in Fantasy whether he hits .250 or .290.

Coming off a near 40-40 season, the hype on Springer will go through the roof if he claims a job in spring training. As long as his high strikeout rate doesn't hold him back -- which certainly wasn't the case in the minors -- he has all the makings of another Matt Kemp -- the healthy version.

With a rotation spot already locked up, Walker is a safer bet for the short-term than most pitching prospects this time of year. He'll come up against an innings limit in the second half, but with a sparkling pedigree and favorable home park, he's a sleeper in all formats to start out.

A high ankle sprain impeded Taveras' rise to the majors last year, and the emergence of Matt Adams figures to delay it further. But if he keeps hitting like he has in the minors, with a staggering contact rate for a power hitter, he'll force his way into the lineup sooner than later.

The consensus top prospect in non-Fantasy circles has already proven ready for Double-A, making a midseason arrival not out of the question. But because the Twins are notoriously slow to promote their prospects and won't have any incentive to rush him, he's an iffy draft-and-stash in mixed leagues despite his incredible upside.

Given his domination of the minors so far, Bradley may have actually surpassed Taijuan Walker as the game's top pitching prospect, but the Bronson Arroyo signing assures he'll begin 2014 in the minors. The Diamondbacks want him contributing sooner than later, though, and between Brandon McCarthy and Trevor Cahill, they should have an opening midseason.

Expected to compete for the starting catcher job last spring, d'Arnaud instead didn't make his big-league debut until mid-August, after a hurried rehabilitation from a broken foot. We should see a better representation of his abilities this year, with him starting from the get-go.

With only 70 strikeouts to go along with his 31 homers in 541 at-bats, Franco's breakthrough last year was anything but one-dimensional. He may not wrestle the job away this spring, but it's only a matter of time before he overtakes the competent but significantly less talented Cody Asche.

Baez's fabled bat speed translated to a big home run total in 2013, bringing him close enough to a promotion that he may have to move off shortstop, to either second or third base, just to avoid getting stuck. But no matter where he plays, he'll be an impact player in Fantasy.

As long as he takes care of business at Triple-A, Polanco will probably be starting for the Pirates in the second half, especially if they're still in contention at that point. He hasn't fully developed as a power hitter, but as a legitimate five-category player, he's a stud long-term.

Though drafted less than a year ago, Bryant has already proven to be so advanced at age 22, winning Arizona Fall League MVP with a convincing power display, that the Cubs may not be able to hold him back. He isn't beating Javier Baez to the majors, though.

Though Russell, the 11th overall pick in the 2012 draft, isn't as hyped as Carlos Correa, the first overall pick, he's closer to reaching the big leagues, with some suggesting he could make the leap this year should a need arise midseason. At shortstop, his power-speed combo will make him an early-rounder someday.

Even at age 20, Sano was in the mix to start at third base for the historically patient Twins before Tommy John surgery cost him his 2014. That says something about the upside. He's a little too all-or-nothing to live up to the Miguel Cabrera comparisons, but Giancarlo Stanton at the hot corner is still awfully valuable.

In long-term keeper leagues, you'll want to go the extra mile for Correa. He profiles as an offensive force at shortstop, making him a potential first-rounder in Fantasy someday. Of course, on a slow ascension for the rebuilding Astros, his value in single-season formats is positively zilch.

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At this time last year, Bundy was widely considered the game's top pitching prospect, but losing a full season to Tommy John surgery dropped his stock a bit. If he's like most everyone else who has the procedure, he'll be as good as new when he returns to the mound in June, making a September call-up possible.

An improved secondary arsenal helped distinguish Syndergaard among pitching prospects last year, as his incredible strikeout-to-walk ratio no longer seemed like just a product of facing lesser competition. Having already mastered Double-A, he figures to follow in Matt Harvey's and Zack Wheeler's footsteps as a midseason call-up for the Mets.

At long last, the second overall pick in the 2010 draft is on the verge of reaching the big leagues, having climbed to Triple-A late last season. Don't let his minor-league numbers fool you. The way the Pirates develop their pitchers, he wasn't able to use his full variety of pitches all the time.

After toeing the water with him late last season, the Cardinals are all-in on Wong, having traded David Freese and shifted Matt Carpenter over to third base just to clear a spot for him. He'll be something like a poor man's Jose Altuve until his power fully develops.

Though the scouting reports make him out to be an impact offensive player, Castellanos' minor-league track record doesn't offer much insight into what kind of hitter he'll be. Sometimes he hit for average. Sometimes he hit for power. With a full-time role, he'll matter in AL-only leagues even if he endures some growing pains.

With Dylan Bundy on the mend, Gausman became the Orioles' first line of defense in the minors last season and wasn't up to the task. Still, with a high-90s fastball and excellent control, it's only a matter of time before he fronts the rotation (along with Bundy). He'll get another chance this spring.

Despite a lost 2013 in which he was suspended 50 games for substance abuse and clearly not right when he returned, Singleton is another step closer to claiming the Astros first base job with Brett Wallace out of the picture. Patient and powerful, his OPS potential is too great for AL-only owners to ignore.

With a .380 on-base percentage between two stops last year, Lindor showed he could be a Fantasy asset even though defense is a major part of his real-life prospect pedigree. The Indians have promoted him aggressively so far, so if Asdrubal Cabrera gets hurt or injured, he's probably first up.

Stephenson has sped through the minors in two seasons since getting drafted 27th overall, quietly emerging as the future ace of an already deep Reds rotation. Because it's already deep, he's unlikely to contribute this year, but he could be top 10 on this list next year.

Appel is already well known to Fantasy owners as a player in the mix for the first overall pick two years in a row. He underwhelmed in his introduction to the lower levels last year, but pedigree counts for more for what should be a fast riser.

Martinez has electric stuff and has already shown he can thrive in pressure situations as the Cardinals setup man during the postseason last year. The problem is his success in that role may prevent him from getting a real chance as a starter. We'll get a better sense of his future this spring.

Pederson showed his 2012 breakthrough wasn't just a product of the heavy-hitting California League by putting up similar numbers at Double-A Chattanooga last year, but the Dodgers are trying to fit four pegs into three holes as it is. Still, with the group they have, an injury should open the door eventually.

Though considered a safer bet than Yasiel Puig at this time a year ago, Soler showed he has some maturing to do, both physically and mentally, during an injury-shortened 2013. Scouts still love his power potential, though, so NL-only owners shouldn't count him out for a midseason promotion.

Gray might be the most talented pitcher of the 2013 draft class and would assuredly rank higher on this list if he didn't go to the Rockies. The way the baseball moves and carries changes so much at a mile above sea level that no one knows what to expect even from the most talented pitchers.

Zimmer struggled to keep the ball down early last season, but he piles up strikeouts with a fastball that at times reaches 100 mph and has no major control issues. He's behind Yordano Ventura in the pipeline, but if he doesn't burn through his innings too quickly, he could get a late-season look.

Heaney will get some buzz this spring because of the natural tie-in with Jose Fernandez, but he isn't quite the same caliber of prospect. He's a good one in his own right, though, and coming off a dominant season in which he advanced to Double-A, he's a worthy draft-and-stash in NL-only leagues.

Odor went from being a memorably named curiosity to a legitimate prospect with his performance in 2013, putting up numbers not unlike Jurickson Profar did at the same levels. Profiling as a five-category player at a middle infield spot, he's a priority pick in long-term keeper leagues.

Bradley ranks lower on this year's list than last year's even though he's all but assured a starting job this time around. That's what a stinker first impression will do for a player. He'll develop more power in time, but for right now, the most reasonable expectation is Michael Brantley-type numbers.

At 18, Meadows is probably two or three years from reaching the majors, but he helped shorten that timetable by tearing up the short-season leagues in the weeks after the draft last year, earning Jay Bruce comparisons along the way. Except unlike Bruce, he still has a chance to hit for average.

The first high school hitter selected in the 2013 draft, Frazier will need a few years to develop, but his power potential rates among the best in the minors. Here's your chance to get in on the ground floor in long-term keeper leagues.

Giolito showed in 11 starts after returning from Tommy John surgery last year why he would have been the top pick in the 2012 draft if not for his elbow. The 19-year-old has as much ability as any pitcher on this list and will move as quickly as the need to accumulate innings will allow him.

Stewart has all the stuff you'd expect from the first high school pitcher selected in the 2013 draft, boasting a mid-90s fastball with a well-developed secondary arsenal. The Twins can afford to take their time with him, but if you don't mind waiting in a dynasty league, here's your chance for a true ace.

In the interest of defense, the Twins signed journeyman Kurt Suzuki to fill their catcher void rather than turn the job over to Pinto, who looked like a ready-made replacement for Joe Mauer with the way he crushed the ball in September. He'll get his chance when the Twins realize they're playing for next year.

Investing in Gonzalez on Draft Day is like buying a lottery ticket. Nobody really knows what to expect from him because he hasn't pitched since 2011 -- and that was in Cuba. At some point, he was clocked at 97 mph, so yeah, maybe. That's about as vague and tepid as endorsements get, though.

Johnson's minor-league numbers make him out to be the second coming of Greg Maddux, but the scouting reports paint a more realistic picture, noting his vulnerability to left-handed hitters. Still, a prospect of some note with the inside track on a rotation spot is at worst an AL-only option.

Considering a third year at Triple-A probably won't do anything for Odorizzi, it's put-up-or-shut-up time for him as the fill-in for an injured Jeremy Hellickson. A Wally Pipp scenario won't happen unless Odorizzi delivers mixed league-caliber numbers, so owners in those formats can take a wait-and-see approach with him.

A disaster at Triple-A Tacoma of the heavy-hitting Pacific Coast for much of last season, Paxton got back to pitching like the prospect he is with his promotion to the big leagues in September. He'd be sleeper for AL-only leagues with a secure rotation spot, but the Scott Baker signing hurts his chances.

The Rockies want Butler and his 99 mph fastball to start for them sooner than later, and judging by what their rotation currently offers, they're in a position to make that happen. But he wouldn't be the first big-time pitching prospect to asphyxiate in the thin air of Coors Field. Approach with caution.

Guerrero's best tool is power, which is always in demand at the middle infield spots. Of course, judging by the scouting reports, it may be his only tool. At 27, he'll likely never be a game-changer in Fantasy, but as long as he wins the starting job, he'll factor in Rotisserie leagues.

Though his home run totals over the last two years in the minors leave much to be desired, most scouts still view Choice as a power hitter. Playing in Texas can only help. The possibility of him overtaking Mitch Moreland for full-time DH duties makes him worth a flier in AL-only leagues.

Coming over from the Diamondbacks in the Addison Reed deal, Davidson gives the White Sox a long-term, if one-dimensional, solution at third base, profiling as a regular 25-homer guy. Since they've already said he's a long shot to win the job this spring, though, even AL-only owners should temper their enthusiasm.

Now decidedly in the mix for a big-league rotation spot, Ventura is inching closer to the "reward" end of the risk-reward spectrum, his 100 mph fastball to this point making up for his smallish stature and iffy control. Long-term, he's still on shaky ground, but he's a reasonable draft-and-stash given his proximity.

Though he always had the potential, Alcantara didn't break through as a legitimate power-speed threat until last season, giving the Cubs another long-term option up the middle. He profiles best at second base and will likely beat Javier Baez to the big leagues, but he would be the one to vacate his spot if it came to that.

(2:46 pm ET)Rangers relief pitcher Neftali Felizhasn't had the most stellar of spring trainings this season. Feliz has posted a 3.86 ERA in seven appearances this spring allowing three runs with five strikeouts. Manager Jeff Banister has talked with Feliz about his last few outings and thinks he's on track, reports the Dallas Morning News.

"He says he feels good and is right here he needs to be," Banister said. "Closers are different cats. Some of that get all hopped up on and are boiling all the time and some have ice water in their veins. I haven't seen him yet in a real high octane situation yet to get a feel."

Culberson missed significant time at the beginning of spring training while dealing with a bulging disc.

"The thing with Charlie is, he's very talented. He’s got some tools that you don't always see in that role — there's power and speed and defense," manager Walt Weiss said. "It's a matter of tightening things up offensively. But there’s a lot to like there."

(2:31 pm ET)Brewers manager Ron Roenicke reiterated that outfielder Ryan Braun's thumb is no longer a concern. He told reporters that all systems are go with Braun heading into the start of the season, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

"I'm not going to sit here and tell you that you wouldn't want him in your lineup -- there's no question you want him in your lineup," Maddon said. "He's also 23. I'm looking forward to working with this guy for the next 15 years. That'll make me 76. If I'm the next Jack McKeon, I'll be working with this guy when I'm 76 years of age."

Bryant hit a spring training high nine home runs in 40 at-bats while posting a .425 average.

"I'm not saying we're right all the time or right on this issue," Epstein said, "but we have a pretty good track record of bringing along young talent and helping them get off to a good start in their Major League careers, and the way we've done it is to wait for just the right moment."

Maddon thinks he's handled the difficult situation extremely well.

"I put myself in the guy's shoes," Maddon said. "What was my brain like at that age? What was I capable of handling at that age? He's got me beat like so much right now as to what I would've done or been able to handle this at that moment. It's not easy. There's so many things coming at you from so many different directions, and he's done a wonderful job."

Adams, 36, signed a minor-league deal with the club in early March. He posted a 2.89 ERA over 22 games in 2014. He posted a 9.64 ERA over 4 2/3 innings of work this spring.

"It's a little bit disappointing. I thought I was coming in with an opportunity to make the team. They felt that they didn't want to rush me and cram my innings in, which I understand," Adams said. "Hopefully it's something that won't take long."a

(2:10 pm ET)Orioles regular shortstop J.J. Hardy is on the shelf for awhile and the team is in need of a replacement for the beginning of the season. Manager Buck Showalter hinted Tuesday third baseman Manny Machado may slide over to shortstop to provide some additional help, reports the Baltimore Sun.

"We are looking at all possibilities, all possible scenarios," Showalter said. "I don't have any doubt that we have a number of guys that could do it, including Manny, but you've got to be careful about robbing Peter to pay Paul."

(2:02 pm ET)The Dodgers announced the signing of pitcher Freddy Garcia on Tuesday, per the team's official website. Garcia pitched in Taiwain in 2013, and was with the Braves and Orioles in 2013. He is on a minor-league deal.